we got to know each other during the bush administration, george w. bush, when i covered the white house. and i loved in the last scene of the movie, there was an actor who played you, actually meeting the butler, eugene allen, at the white house. what struck you about him when you first saw him? >> thank you, susan, it's great to see you again. but when i first met mr. allen, it was in 2008. and very distinguished gentleman, but very humble. i had already heard about his background. the story had not been written about him yet. and so he came to do his oral history at the white house with three other former maÎtre d's. and so i was more honored to meet him, i think, than he felt he was honored to meet me, being the first african-american to be a chief usher. but i had heard about him, and just to be in his presence was just amazing to me. >> and you know, times have changed, because in the movie, eugene allen, he was discovered serving at a hotel. you have served in the military for 36 years. you had nine interviews before you actually got the job.